Quick opening envelope

ABSTRACT

A quick opening envelope is provided wherein the bottom flap of the envelope is longer than the top flap and has an upper edge parallel to the lower edge of the upper flap. The lower flap is attached to the side flaps by means of spaced adhesive spots so that the lower flap can be torn from the side flaps by inserting a finger between the top of the lower flap and the side flaps just below the top flap and tearing the bottom flap away from the side flaps at the glued spots so that substantially the entire contents of the envelope are visible. The opening of the envelope is accomplished without tearing it so that it can be reused for storage of the contents.

United States Patent 1 1 Tucker et al.

Y QUICK OPENING ENVELOPE [75] Inventors: Carl L. Tucker; Robert M. Schaible;

Frank B. Cooper, all of Denver,

[73] Assignee: Yak-Well Corporation, Denver,

[22] Filed: Feb. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 335,370

[52] US. Cl. 229/80, 229/85.

[51] Int. CL, B65d 27/36 [58] Field of Search 229/80, 85

[56] I v References Cited '7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,306,224 6/1919 Godley 229/85 2,389,747 11/1945 Stone et al 229/85 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 316,972 11/1969 Sweden 229/85 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Stephen P. Garbe Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sheridan, Ross & Fields 5 7] ABSTRACT A quick opening envelope is provided wherein the bottom flap of the envelope is longer than the top flap and has an upper edge parallel to the lower edge of the upper flap. The lower flap is attached to the side flaps by means of spaced adhesive spots so that the lower flap can be torn from the side flaps by inserting a finger between the top of the lower flap and the side flaps just below the top flap and tearing the bottom flap away from the side flaps at the glued spots so that substantially the entire contents of the envelope are visible. The opening of the envelope is accomplished 1 without tearing it so that it can be reused for storage of the contents.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 QUICK OPENING ENVELOPE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a quick opening envelope, and more particularly one of simple'construction inwhich substantially all of the contents of the envelope can be viewed after opening.

2. Description of the Prior Art There is a greater need for a quick opening envelope which can be opened without mutilating or damaging the contents or'destroying the envelope for future use for storing the contents. A variety of envelopes have been developed over the years which are intended to solve these problems. Examples of these can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,224 to Godley; US. Pat. No. 1,336,646 to Mendenhall; US. Pat. No. 3,297,235 to Robbins; and US. Pat. No. 3,464,621 to Day. How ever, each of these envelopes is relatively complex in design, requiring additional manufacturing steps and in many instances may tear so that it cannot be used for restorage of the contents. Typically, perforations are provided along a portion of the envelope, such as in the sealing flap or adjacent thereto or along a side flap, and

' a slit is cut in the envelope to provide a tab under which SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a quick opening envelope is provided which can be opened easily without tearing so that allthe contents thereof are visible. The envelope includes a front panel having upper and lower and side edges, a pair of side panels or flaps folded inwardly respectively from each of the side edges of the front panel, each of the side panels having an upper edge adjacent the upper edge of the front panel and a lower edge extending diagonally from adjacent the lower edge of the front panel to a point along the center line of the front panel and spaced from the lower edge thereof, the lower edge of the respective side panels forming an inverted V-shaped configuration, an upper sealing flap folded down along the upper edge of the front panel and overlapping a portion of the side panels and having adhesive means forpermanently sealing the upper flap to the side flaps, a bottom flap folded upwardly along the lower edge of the front edge of the front panel and having side edges which overlie the lower edges of the side panels and having a top edge spaced from the top of the flap. Adhesive spots are spaced along the lower edge of the side flaps attaching the side edges of the bottom flap to the lower edges of the side flaps, the top edge of the bottom flap being free from the side flaps so that the envelope can be opened quickly by inserting a finger between the upper edge of the bottom flap and the side flaps to grasp the bottom flap and tear the bottom flap away from the side flaps at the adhesive spots to expose the contents of the envelope for removal thereof.

Furthermore, the bottom flap of the envelope is conveniently substantially longer than the upper sealing of the envelope upon tearing the bottom flap away I flaps folded; and

from the side flaps. Also, the upper edge of the bottom flap is substantially parallel and spaced from the top edge of the bottom flap to facilitate the insertion of a finger behind the upper edge of the bottom flap to grasp it for tearing it away from the side flaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the novel quick opening envelope of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, similar to FIG. 1', but with the side FIG. 3 is a back view of the envelope of this invention in closed position, showing in dotted lines how the top of the bottom flap is grasped with the fingers for tearing it away from the side flaps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In accordance with this invention, a quick opening envelope E is provided, which as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a front panel 10 which normally bears the address to which the envelope is to be sent. The front panel 10 has upper, lower and side edges to which top sealing flap 12, bottom flap l4 and side flaps 16 and 18 are respectivelyattached. Side flaps l6 and 18 are conveniently folded inwardly as shown in FIG. 2 and have upper edges 20 and 22 which extend generally horizontally and are adjacent to the upper edge of front panel 10 when in folded position. Conveniently, the bottom edges 24 and 26 extend diagonally from adjacent the lower edge of the front panel to a point along the center line of the front panel which together form a configuration such as an inverted V-shape for viewing substantially all of the c'ontentsof the envelope when the bottom flap 14 is torn away from the side flaps l6 and 18 as described below. Extending generally parallel but spaced from bottom edges 24 and 26 are adhesive spots 28 on the side flaps which seal the bottom flap 14 to the side flaps l6 and 18 when the bottom flap is folded upspaced from the upper edge 34 of the bottom flap so' that the recipient of the envelope can insert a finger between the upper edge 34 of the bottom flap and side flaps l6 and 18 to grasp the bottom flapand thereby tear the bottom flap away from the side flaps so that the contents of the envelope may be viewed. Also, it will be noted that the bottom flap 14 is substantially larger than top flap 12 so that after the bottom flap has been torn away from the top flap the opening formed by bottom edges 24 and 26 of the side flaps provides an area through which substantially all of the contents of the envelope can be viewed so that the recipient is sure that From the foregoing, the advantages of this invention are readily apparent. A quick opening envelope has been provided wherein the bottom flap may be torn away from the side flaps without tearing any other part of the envelope so that it can be reused for subsequent storing of the contents. Furthermore, once the bottom flap is torn away from the side flaps the contents are easily viewable so that the recipient of the envelope can be sure that he removes all contents thereof. Finally,

the envelope is of simple construction and does not require a separate perforating or slitting operation northe provisions of tabs in order to accomplish opening of the envelope.

This invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A quick opening envelope which can be opened easily so that all of the contents thereof are visible, said envelope comprising:

a front panel having upper, lower and side edges and a center line intermediate of and parallel to said 7 side edges;

a pair of side flaps folded inwardly, respectively, front each of said side edges, each of said side flaps having an upper edge adjacent said upper edge of said front panel and a lower edge extending angularly from adjacent said lower edge of said front panel to a point along the center line of said front panel and spaced from the lower edge thereof, the lower edge of said respective side flaps forming a configuration to permit viewing of the contents of the envelope;

an upper sealing flap folded down along the upper edge of said front panel and overlying a portion of said side flaps and having adhesive means at least extending across said center line for permanently sealing said upper flap to said side flaps;

a bottom flap folded upwardly along said lower edge of said front panel and having edges which overlie said lower edges of said side flaps and having a top edge lying in the same plane as the remainder of said bottom flap which is spaced from said upper flap, said top edge being unattached to said side flaps; and

adhesive spots spaced along said lower edges of said flaps attaching said edges of said bottom flap to said lower edges of said side flaps, said top edge of said bottom flap being free from said side flaps so that said envelope can be opened quickly by inserting a finger between'saidupper edge of said bottom flap and said side'flaps to grasp said bottom flap and tearing said bottomflap away from said side flaps at said adhesive spots to expose the contents of said envelope for removal thereof.

2. A quick opening envelope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said upper sealing flap has a lower edge which is parallel to and spaced from said top edge of said bottom flap.

3. A quick opening envelope, as claimed in claim 1,

wherein:

said bottom flap is substantially longer than said upper sealing flap so that substantially all of the contents are visible upon tearing said bottom flap away from said side flaps.

4. A quick opening envelope which can be opened easily so that all of the contents thereof are visible,lsaid envelope comprising:

a front panel having upper, lower and side edges and a center line intermediate of and parallel to said side edges;

a pair of side flaps folded inwardly, respectively, from each of said side edges, each of said side flaps having an upper edge adjacent said upper edge of said front panel and a lower edge extending angularly from adjacent said lower edge of said front panel to a point along the center line of said front panel and spaced from the lower edge thereof, the lower edge of said respective side flaps forming a configuration to permit viewing of the contents of the envelope;

an upper sealing flap folded down along the upper edge of said front panel and overlying a portion of said side flaps and having adhesive means atleast extending across said center line for permanently sealing said upper flap to said side flaps;

a bottom flap folded upwardly along said lower edge of said front panel and having edges which overlie said lower edges of said side flaps and having a top edge lying in the same plane as the remainder of said bottom flap which is spaced from and parallel to the lower edge of said upper sealing flap, said top edge being unattached to said side flaps, said bottom flap being substantially longer than said upper sealing flap; and

adhesive spots spaced along said lower edges of said side flaps attaching said side edges of said bottom flap to said lower edges of said side flaps, said top edge of said bottom flap being free from said side flaps so that said envelope can be opened quickly .by inserting a finger between said upper edge of said bottom flap and said side flaps to grasp said bottom flap and tearing said bottom flap away from said side flaps at said adhesive spots to expose the contents of said envelope for removal thereof. 

1. A quick opening envelope which can be opened easily so that all of the contents thereof are visible, said envelope comprising: a front panel having upper, lower and side edges and a center line intermediate of and parallel to said side edges; a pair of side flaps folded inwardly, respectively, front each of said side edges, each of said side flaps having an upper edge adjacent said upper edge of said front panel and a lower edge extending angularly from adjacent said lower edge of said front panel to a point along the center line of said front panel and spaced from the lower edge thereof, the lower edge of said respective side flaps forming a configuration to permit viewing of the contents of the envelope; an upper sealing flap folded down along the upper edge of said front panel and overlying a portion of said side flaps and having adhesive means at least extending across said center line for permanently sealing said upper flap to said side flaps; a bottom flap folded upwardly along said lower edge of said front panel and having edges which overlie said lower edges of said side flaps and having a top edge lying in the same plane as the remainder of said bottom flap which is spaced from said upper flap, said top edge being unattached to said side flaps; and adhesive spots spaced along said lower edges of said flaps attaching said edges of said bottom flap to said lower edges of said side flaps, said top edge of said bottom flap being free from said side flaps so that said envelope can be opened quickly by inserting a finger between said upper edge of said bottom flap and said side flaps to grasp said bottom flap and tearing said bottom flap away from said side flaps at said adhesive spots to expose the contents of said envelope for removal thereof.
 2. A quick opening envelope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said upper sealing flap has a lower edge which is parallel to and spaced from said top edge of said bottom flap.
 3. A quick opening envelope, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said bottom flap is substantially longer than said upper sealing flap so that substantially all of the contents are visible upon tearing said bottom flap away from said side flaps.
 4. A quick opening envelope which can be opened easily so that all of the contents thereof are visible, said envelope comprising: a front panel having upper, lower and side edges and a center line intermediate of and parallel to said side edges; a pair of side flaps folded inwardly, respectively, from each of said side edges, each of said side flaps having an upper edge adjacent said upper edge of said front panel and a lower edge extending angularly from adjacent said lower edge of said front panel to a point along the center line of said front panel and spaced from the lower edge thereof, the lower edge of said respective side flaps forming a configuration to permit viewing of the contents of the envelope; an upper sealing flap folded down along the upper edge of said front panel and overlying a portion of said side flaps and having adhesive means at least extending across said center line for permanently sealing said upper flap to said side flaps; a bottom flap folded upwardly along said lower edge of said front panel and having edges which overlie said lower edges of said side flaps and having a top edge lying in the same plane as the remainder of said bottom flap which is spaced from and parallel to the lower edge of said upper sealing flap, said top edge being unattached to said side flaps, said bottom flap being substantially longer than said upper sealing flap; and adhesive spots spaced along said lower edges of said side flaps attaching said side edges of said bottom flap to said lower edges of said side flaps, said top edge of said bottom flap being free from said side flaps so that said envelope can be opened quickly by inserting a finger between said upper edge of said bottom flap and said side flaps to grasp said bottom flap and tearing said bottom flap away from said side flaps at said adhesive spots to expose the contents of said envelope for removal thereof. 